Vijayakanth: Difference between revisions

| office        = [[Leader of the Opposition]] in [[Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly]]

| term_start    = 16 May 2011

| term_end      = 22 May 2016

| term_start1  = 16 May 2011

| term_end1    = 22 May 2016

| term_start2  = 13 May 2006

| term_end2    = 15 May 2011

| birth_place  = [[Madurai]], [[Madras State]], [[India]]<br />{{smaller|(present-day [[Tamil Nadu]])}}

'''Narayanan “Vijayaraj” Alagarswami ''' (born 25 August 1952),<ref>{{cite news|title=Tongues wag as Elangovan greets Captain|url=http://newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/article208185.ece|access-date=10 July 2013|newspaper=[[The New Indian Express]]|date=26 August 2010}}</ref> better known by his stage name '''Vijayakanth''', is an Indian politician and former actor who has worked predominantly in [[Tamil cinema]]. He was the [[Leader of the Opposition]] in the [[Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly]] from 2011 to 2016. Before entering politics Vijayakanth was a successful film actor, producer and director. Vijayakanth is also the current DMDK chairman of Tamil Nadu legislative assembly. He is the founder and general secretary of the [[Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam]] (DMDK) Political party and served as a [[Member of Legislative Assembly]] twice representing the constituency of [[Virudhachalam (state assembly constituency)|Virudhachalam]] and [[Rishivandiyam (State Assembly Constituency)|Rishivandiyam]] respectively.

Vijayakanth was born in Madurai on August 12, 1952.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Vijayakant birthday: DMDK cadre celebrate it as poverty alleviation day {{!}} Chennai News - Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/vijayakant-birthday-dmdk-cadre-celebrate-it-as-poverty-alleviation-day/articleshow/77734133.cms|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref> His parents are K. N. Alagarswami and Aandal Azhagarswami.<ref>https://www.filmibeat.com/celebs/vijayakanth/biography.html</ref> He married Premalatha on 31 January 1990 and has two sons named Vijaya Prabhakaran and [[Shanmuga Pandian]], a film actor.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2016-04-27|title=Anchor of Captain’s ship: In conversation with Premalatha, first lady of TN’s third front|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/anchor-captains-ship-conversation-premalatha-first-lady-tns-third-front-42250|access-date=2021-05-19|website=The News Minute|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-08-25|title=Captain Vijayakanth's birthday special selfie goes viral - Don't miss the happy family pic|url=https://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-16/captain-vijayakanths-birthday-special-selfie-goes-viral-dont-miss-the-happy.html|access-date=2021-05-19|website=Behindwoods}}</ref>

Vijayakanth is one of very few Tamil actors to have acted only in Tamil films throughout his career. His films have mostly been dubbed into [[Telugu language|Telugu]] and [[Hindi language|Hindi]]. Vijayakanth, had the title "Puratchi Kalaignar" (revolutionary artist) in the film industry.<ref>{{cite news |title=Difference between a mere actor and a star is a grandiose appellation in the glitzy world of South Indian cinema |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/difference-between-a-mere-actor-and-a-star-is-a-grandiose-appellation-in-the-glitzy-world-of-south-indian-cinema/articleshow/18359967.cms |access-date=30 March 2021 |work=The Economic Times |date=6 February 2013}}</ref> He is also known for portraying a patriotic, village do-gooder and dual role acting in his films. He has acted in more than 20 films as a police officer.<ref name="m.behindwoods.com">{{Cite web|url=http://m.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies/slideshow/10-lesser-known-facts-about-vijayakanth/the-only-actor-after-mgr-and-shivaji.html|title=10 Lesser known facts about Vijayakanth|date=12 May 2016|website=Behindwoods|access-date=21 September 2018|archive-date=21 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180921034753/http://m.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies/slideshow/10-lesser-known-facts-about-vijayakanth/the-only-actor-after-mgr-and-shivaji.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> He is best known for low-budget films that showcased gravity-defying stunts in which he would single-handedly dispatch his enemies.<ref>{{cite news |title=If these videos are anything to go by, Vijayakanth is already the TN CM |url=https://scroll.in/reel/805567/if-these-videos-are-anything-to-go-by-vijayakanth-is-already-the-tn-cm |access-date=13 March 2021 |work=Scroll.in |date=23 March 2016}}</ref> Most of his films revolved around corruption, honesty and keeping up promises.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Murali |first1=Harish |title=Decoding the rise and fall of DMDK's Captain Vijayakanth |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-decriphering-the-rise-and-fall-of-dmdk-s-captain-vijayakanth-2215553 |access-date=13 March 2021 |work=DNA India |date=23 May 2016 |language=en}}</ref> He worked 3 shifts per day and that was his dedication towards his craft. Vijayakanth took delayed remunerations and sometimes didn't take them at all to benefit the struggling producers. More importantly, he didn't try to publicize these and had let the world see it for themselves and take inspiration.<ref>https://www.thenewstuff.in/captain-word-suits-him-sure</ref> Upon entering the film industry to pursue an acting career, he changed to "Vijayakanth", dropping the "Raj" out of his name and suffixing it with "Kanth," by his first film M. A. Kaja's ''[[Inikkum Ilamai]]'' (1979). He then had success with ''[[Sattam Oru Iruttarai (1981 film)|Sattam Oru Iruttarai]]'' (1981), directed by [[S. A. Chandrasekhar]]; with whom he did movies mostly. He got the sobriquet "Captain" after the 100th film, ''[[Captain Prabhakaran]]'' (1991).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/a-silver-toast-to-the-golden-year-of-tamil-cinema/297311|title=A Silver Toast to the Golden Year Of Tamil Cinema|website=Outlook (India)}}</ref>

Vijayakanth was cast in ''[[Inikkum Ilamai]]'' (1979), his first film where he played an antagonist, which was directed by M. A. Kaja. His subsequent films ''[[Agal Vilakku]]'' (1979), ''Neerottam'' (1980) and ''Saamanthippoo'' (1980) were followed box-office flops.<ref name="indiatoday.in">{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/vijayakanth-40-years-in-tamil-cinema-sa-chandrasekar-1213179-2018-04-16|title=Vijayakanth's 40 years in cinema: What the last 4 decades have meant for Kollywood|first1=Janani K.|last1=ChennaiApril 16|first2=2018UPDATED|last2=April 16|first3=2018 16:27|last3=Ist|website=India Today}}</ref> His film ''[[Doorathu Idi Muzhakkam]]'' (1980), was screened at the Indian Panorama of the [[International Film Festival of India]]. His next film, ''[[Sattam Oru Iruttarai (1981 film)|Sattam Oru Iruttarai]]'' (1981), directed by [[S. A. Chandrasekhar]] was  successful, and was remade in [[Hindi language|Hindi]], [[Telugu language|Telugu]], [[Malayalam]] and [[Kannada]] languages. He then played a villain role in ''[[Om Shakti]]'' (1982) but after which he has never portrayed antagonist characters in his career.<ref>{{cite news |title=Tuesday Trivia! - 40 Years of Captain Vijayakanth - Tamil News |url=https://www.indiaglitz.com/tuesday-trivia-40-years-of-captain-vijayakanth-tamil-news-210695 |access-date=12 October 2020 |work=IndiaGlitz.com |date=3 April 2018}}</ref> He acted in various film such as ''[[Vaidhegi Kaathirunthaal]]'' (1984). He had 18 releases and with this, he became the Tamil actor to release the most films in a year in the lead role.<ref>{{cite news |title=Vijayakanth celebrates 40 years in cinema 8 |url=https://www.sify.com/movies/vijayakanth-celebrates-40-years-in-cinema-imagegallery-8-kollywood-serkvBhiffcgh.html |access-date=12 October 2020 |work=Sify |language=en}}</ref> He acted in ''[[Annai Bhoomi 3D]]'' (1985), the first 3D film made in the Tamil film industry where he acted alongside [[Radha Ravi]] and Kannada actor [[Tiger Prabhakar]]. He co-starred with Kannada superstar actor [[Vishnuvardhan (actor)|Vishnuvardhan]] in ''[[Eetti (1985 film)|Eetti]]'' (1985). The romantic comedy film ''[[Naane Raja Naane Mandhiri]]'' (1985), in which he is a self-centered egoistic village Zamindar, who makes fun of people was a commercial success.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0320118/|title=Naane Raja Naane Manthiri|via=www.imdb.com}}</ref> He acted in ''[[Amman Kovil Kizhakale]]'' (1986), which earnt him a [[Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil]]. He also acted in ''[[Manakanakku]]'' (1986), "the only film where [[Kamal Haasan]] and Vijayakanth worked together till date", followed by ''[[Oomai Vizhigal]]'' (1986) which became a cult classic. It portrayed him in an unusual role of an aged cop.   He co-starred with [[Sivaji Ganesan]] in ''[[Veerapandiyan]]'' (1987), followed by ''[[Cooliekkaran]]'' (1987), ''[[Veeran Veluthambi]]'' (1987), ''[[Ninaive Oru Sangeetham]]'' (1987), ''[[Sattam Oru Vilayaattu]]'' (1987) and ''[[Uzhavan Magan]]'' (1987). He worked in films such as ''[[Therkathi Kallan]]'' (1988) and ''[[Poonthotta Kaavalkaaran]]'' (1988). ''[[Senthoora Poove]]'' (1988) won him a [[Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actor]]. He also starred in two other films that year ''[[Paattukku Oru Thalaivan]]'' (1989) and ''[[Ponmana Selvan]]'' (1989), followed by the crime film ''[[Rajanadai]]'' (1989) and the devotional film ''[[Meenakshi Thiruvilayadal]]'' (1989).

Vijayakanth acted in several films in the 1990s including ''[[Pulan Visaranai]]'' (1990) and had [[R. Sarathkumar]] portraying the antagonist. Directed by [[R. K. Selvamani]], this film was considered to be one of the best Tamil crime thrillers of its time.<ref>{{cite news |title=30 Years of Pulan Visaranai: A nostalgic look-back at one of the best crime thrillers ever made in Tamil |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/photos/slideshows/2020/jan/18/30-years-of-pulan-visaranai-a-nostalgic-look-back-at-one-of-the-best-crime-thrillers-ever-made-in-t-859.html |access-date=12 October 2020 |work=The New Indian Express |date=18 January 2020}}</ref> At the end of the year, he acted in ''[[Sathriyan]]'' (1990), produced by [[Mani Ratnam]], about an honest cop and a corrupt politician. After the success of ''Pulan Visaranai'' (1990), Rowther decided to start another project with Vijayakanth and director R. K. Selvamani, titled ''[[Captain Prabhakaran]]'' (1991). It was Vijayakanth's 100th film, after which he earned the sobriquet "Captain" ever since he portrayed an IFS officer.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.ndtv.com/people/who-is-vijayakanth-or-captain-553197|title=Who is Vijayakanth or Captain?|work=NDTV|access-date=3 December 2020}}</ref> He is the only actor from his period to have a jubilee box-office on his 100th film . The film was a commercial success upon its release,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/tamil-film-industry-100th-film-jinx-grips-the-mighty-sans-captain/article8595803.ece|title=100th film jinx grips the mighty sans 'Captain'|first=N.|last=Kesavan|date=14 May 2016|via=www.thehindu.com|newspaper=The Hindu}}</ref> followed by ''[[Maanagara Kaaval]]'' (1991) and ''[[Moondrezhuthil En Moochirukkum]]'' (1991). Vijayakanth worked in films such as ''[[Chinna Gounder]]'' (1992). This film was radically different from Vijayakanth's earlier portrayals, as he was donning the role of a soft-spoken village chieftain. This film was ranked third in [[Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Film]], followed by ''[[Bharathan (1992 film)|Bharathan]]'' (1992), ''[[Thai Mozhi]]'' (1992) and ''[[Kaviya Thalaivan (1992 film)|Kaviya Thalaivan]]'' (1992). He has also appeared in various roles such as ''[[Koyil Kaalai]]'' (1993), ''[[Ezhai Jaathi]]'' (1993), ''[[Sakkarai Devan]]'' (1993), ''[[Rajadurai (film)|Rajadurai]]'' (1993) and  ''[[Enga Muthalali]]'' (1993). He co-starred with the son of the director [[S. A. Chandrasekhar]], [[Vijay (actor)|Vijay]] in ''[[Sendhoorapandi]]'' (1993), where Vijayakanth plays the role of elder brother. Vijayakanth played an extended cameo role in this film for which he did not take any remuneration.<ref name="m.behindwoods.com"/> He starred in ''[[Sethupathi IPS]]'' (1994), followed by ''[[Honest Raj]]'' (1994), ''[[Pathavi Pramanam]]'' (1994), ''[[En Aasai Machan]]'' (1994) and ''[[Periya Marudhu (film)|Periya Marudhu]]'' (1994). He acted in ''[[Karuppu Nila]]'' (1995), ''[[Thirumoorthy]]'' (1995) and ''[[Gandhi Pirantha Mann]]'' (1995). He acted in action film ''[[Thayagam]]'' (1996), which won a [[Tamil Nadu State Film Award Special Prize]]. This was followed by ''[[Tamizh Selvan]]'' (1996) and ''[[Alexander (1996 film)|Alexander]]'' (1996). He starred in ''[[Dharma Chakkaram]]'' (1997), directed by [[K. S. Ravikumar]]. He acted in his 125th film ''[[Ulavuthurai]]'' (1998), followed by ''[[Dharma (1998 film)|Dharma]]'' (1998) and ''[[Veeram Vilanja Mannu]]'' (1998). He played in ''[[Kallazhagar]]'' (1999), and co-starred with [[Suriya]] in ''[[Periyanna]]'' (1999). He starred in ''[[Kannupada Poguthaiya]]'' (1999), produced by [[R. B. Choudary]].

Vijayakanth had three releases, ''[[Vaanathai Pola]]'' (2000) a rural family drama directed by [[Vikraman]], which won two awards; a [[Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Film]] of the year and [[National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment]]. This was followed by ''[[Vallarasu]]'' (2000) and ''[[Simmasanam]]'' (2000). After this year, he again played in action films such as ''[[Vaanchinathan]]'' (2001) directed by [[Shaji Kailas]] and ''[[Narasimha (2001 film)|Narasimha]]'' (2001). Then came ''[[Viswanathan Ramamoorthy (film)|Viswanathan Ramamoorthy]]'' (2001), in which he made a cameo appearance and the village drama ''[[Thavasi]]'' (2001). All these films received mixed reviews from critics at the box office. He acted in ''[[Raajjiyam]]'' (2002) and ''[[Devan (film)|Devan]]'' (2002), co-starring with the actor and directed by [[Arun Pandian]]. [[Karthik (actor)|Karthik]] also played the pivotal role. These three actors gathered after their 1986 film, ''[[Oomai Vizhigal]]''. The next year, ''[[Ramanaa]]'' (2002), which was directed by [[AR Murugadoss]], won him a [[Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Film]] of the year and became a commercially successful. He had two releases, ''[[Chokka Thangam]]'' (2003), a family drama and ''[[Thennavan]]'' (2003), a political film. He acted in three films ''[[Engal Anna]]'' (2004), a comedy film which was a success,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-fridayreview/engal-anna/article28575474.ece|title=Engal Anna|date=23 January 2004|via=www.thehindu.com|newspaper=The Hindu}}</ref> however ''[[Gajendra (film)|Gajendra]]'' (2004) and ''[[Neranja Manasu]]'' (2004) received negative reviews. Later, he did a special appearance in [[Suriya]]'s film ''[[Maayavi]]'' (2005) as himself. He acted in three action films, ''[[Sudesi]]'' (2006), ''[[Perarasu (film)|Perarasu]]'' (2006) and ''[[Dharmapuri (film)|Dharmapuri]]'' (2006). The next year, he starred in ''[[Sabari]]'' (2007 ). His 150th film was ''[[Arasangam]]'' (2008), about a police officer who discovers and unravels the mystery behind a terrorist gang plotting to steal information about the growth of the Indian economy, set in Chennai then Toronto. He acted in the drama ''[[Mariyadhai]]'' (2009), in the second film with director Vikraman, after ''Vaanathai Pola'' followed by the action ''[[Engal Aasan]]'' (2009),<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kumar |first1=B. Aravind |title=Vijayakanth does a double role ahead of polls |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/vijayakanth-does-a-double-role-ahead-of-polls/articleshow/4242570.cms |access-date=6 April 2021 |work=The Times of India |date=9 March 2009 |language=en}}</ref> where he co-starred with [[Vikranth]], the cousin of actor [[Vijay (actor)|Vijay]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Darshan |first1=Navein |title=Being Vijay anna's shadow was my biggest disadvantage: Actor Vikranth |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2019/jun/12/being-vijay-annas-shadow-was-my-biggest-disadvantage-1989146.html |access-date=6 April 2021 |work=The New Indian Express |date=12 June 2019}}</ref>